Backwards and Forwards Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pendulum

On old clocks the pendulum hangs down and swings from side to side driving the clock mechanism. It helps the clock to keep time, as it usually has a weight on it that slides up and down and regulates how fast the pendulum swings. The quicker the pendulum swings the faster the clock works. On many antique grandfather clocks the pendulum is on view and is often a feature of the clock.

Answer: Hula hoop

Hula hoops have been around since the 1950s and their popularity has come and gone. The idea is to keep it moving around your waist for as long as possible. Some very skillful people can manage more than one hoop at a time. Some stage performers can do dozens at once, not only around their waist, but around arms, legs and even their neck as well.

Answer: A hammock

Space on very old ships was limited so sailors used to sleep in hammocks, which are long strips of material with a hanging device at each end. These could be stowed away during the day when the space was needed for something else. They swing from side to side with the movement of the ship.

Some people like to have them in the garden hung between two trees and lie swinging gently in the sun. They are quite hard to get into though, and once you are in an unwary movement can tip you out.

Answer: Tennis

Tennis is the only one of the choices that uses a racket. Baseball and cricket both use bats, and in volleyball the ball is hit with the hands. All of these sports are played all over the world, and use exactly the same equipment no matter where you are. The rules are the same everywhere in the world as well, which allows countries to compete against each other.

Answer: Trapeze

Trapeze artists work many feet off the ground. Sometimes it is just one person, but more often two or three people. They swing from trapeze to trapeze, turn somersaults and catch one another in mid air. It takes many years of practice to become a good trapeze artist. Sometimes they do fall, but there is a safety net to catch them, and they normally climb straight back up and carry on with their act.

Answer: Compass

On a compass the needle will always end up pointing at North. If you don't know where you are exactly, but know you need to go West to find the place you want, just line the compass up so that it shows North and you then know that you need to go to your left for West.

Some outdoor sports use compasses. Orienteering is based on finding your way round a course using just a map and compass, and geo-caching also makes use of compass points.

Answer: Across a river or canal

A swing bridge is usually found over a river or canal. Instead of lifting up to allow water traffic to pass it pivots horizontally to open up the water way for boats to pass. It can swing either at one side only, rather like a hinged gate, or from a central axis.

When closed the bridge is strong enough to allow heavy traffic to pass over it. A typical example in the United Kingdom can be found over the River Tyne at Newcastle.

Answer: Big Bands

1935 to 1945 was known as the "Swing Era" in America. Big bands mainly of brass and woodwind instruments with drums and double bass added were the main players. It was a more sophisticated form of jazz and was very popular to dance to. Most of these bands also had singers and many famous people started their career with a big band. Frank Sinatra, for example, sang with the Harry James Band.

Answer: Fairground

The 'Screaming Swing' is just a very tall swing with two or more seats. Three of four people can usually sit on each seat. Because it is so tall the swing reaches great speed and height. The first one ever seen was in 2004 in California. 'Chair-O-Plane' is a carousel-type ride where swings are suspended from the top of a carousel, and as it spins the swings fly outwards. Sometimes the top of the carousel tilts as well to give even greater movement.

This type of ride has been in fairgrounds since the early 1900s.

Answer: Arms

When you walk your arms start to swing backwards and forwards without you even realising it. When marching, a deliberate and noticeable swing of the arms is part of the correct way to do it. Watch soldiers on parade and you will see that not only are they all in step with each other, but their arms swing in unison as well.